Pregnancy, breastfeeding, fertility and COVID-19 vaccination

It's strongly recommended that you get vaccinated against COVID-19 if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you're pregnant

If you're pregnant, it's important to get vaccinated to protect you and your baby. The antibodies your body produces in response to the vaccine can also give your baby protection against COVID-19.

You're at higher risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 if you're pregnant. If you get COVID-19 late in your pregnancy, your baby could also be at risk.

Evidence shows that most pregnant women with COVID-19 who need hospital treatment or intensive care in the UK have not been vaccinated.

It's safe to have the vaccine during any stage of pregnancy, from the first few weeks up to your expected due date. You do not need to delay vaccination until after you have given birth.

Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 reduces the risk of having a stillbirth.

There's no evidence COVID-19 vaccination increases the risk of having a miscarriage, pre-term birth or other complications in your pregnancy.

The COVID-19 vaccines do not contain any live viruses and cannot give you or your baby COVID-19.

They have been widely used during pregnancy in other countries and there have been no safety concerns. In the UK, over 100,000 pregnant women have been vaccinated.

Find out more about the COVID-19 vaccine

If you're breastfeeding

It's safe to get the COVID-19 vaccine if you are breastfeeding.

You cannot catch COVID-19 from the vaccines and cannot pass it to your baby through your breast milk.

Fertility and COVID-19 vaccination

There's no evidence the COVID-19 vaccines have any effect on your chances of becoming pregnant.

There's no need to avoid getting pregnant after being vaccinated.

There's also no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccines have any effect on male fertility.